I am 24 years old and have not had diabetes long. I was diagnosed in January after being hospitalized. They treated it as type two until June when I was told I have type 1. I’m really not coping well. I found this site today. I’m trying to not feel alone.
@jambarcher hi Jessica, you are not alone. T1 is not super common, so a lot of us here don’t have contact with others with T1, except for the forum.
hope you have access to an endocrinologist, and a certified diabetes educator (CDE) the first year can be rough.
I have had T1 a bout 39 years, still alive 
, and T1 has become a background routine (still consumes time). PLease tell us how you are doing. good luck.
If i may ask, was your hospitalization related to dka or a different, unrelated reason?
T1 definitely has some of those “it sucks” days and it is life changing in that you are continually managing it, however it isn’t always frustrating. Here are a few suggestions that may help:
-If you can, I would get an appointment with a diabetes educator. I did that when I went though a frustrated, not quite in control but not sure why patch. Your insurance may cover it. If not, your local hospital may have a diabetes help group which is free.
-Get a copy of “Think Like a Pancreas”
-listen to the Juicebox podcast (I discovered this, this year and it has really helped and answered a lot of questions I’ve had or have been trying to figure out.). I really have found it a great support and empowering.
-utilize the forum, and vent whenever you need to. I’ve done that too!
- check out your local JDRF chapter. They may have an event where you can meet other T1s.
- have you considered a pump? The one thing I like about it is not injecting all the time and just changing it out every 4th day. A CGM is also helpful too as it lets you know where your sugar is and if it’s heading up or down.
It is a big change, but you are not alone. I hope this helps.
- Jo
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Hi Jessica @jambarcher, so you found us - well, A Warm Welcome to TypeOneNation - we are here for you. You are not alone - I know I had this condition for more than 15 years before I found someone who had what I had and someone to talk with.
What ever your condition was called, it really doesn’t make much difference as long as you are getting the proper diabetes management help. When I was diagnosed in the 1950’s, what we have was just called “diabetes” - since then our conditions has been called by several different names and just recently “T1”.
You will be learning to be your own “primary doctor” as far as day-to-day diabetes management, so I encourage you to learn as much as possible and use good sources. Ask questions and see if suggestions - from medical professionals and other people with diabetes - fit into your lifestyle, plans & goals and your body; what has worked for me may or may not work for you, our bodies are not identical.
If you can, attend some events/meetings with other people traveling your journey - check out JDRF events [tap “Near You” at top center of the main JDRF webpage, JDRF.org - to find some awesome people and interesting happenings.
Good luck to you.
@jambarcher Hey there. My names Samantha. I’m only 16 years old and trust me I know where your coming from. When I was first diagnosed with this I felt like my world was flipped upside down. It’s been eight years since that little experience and it was definitely hard on me. But believe me when I tell you. You are not alone. I hope this has been of some help. Please write back.
Hello Jessica. Having type 1 diabetes definitely isn’t essy, I’m not gonna lie but it’s not the end of the world either. I’ve had it since I was 9 months old and it doesn’t stop you as much as you’d think of you go about it the right way. If you need any help, have any questions or just want someone to talk to who understands the struggles and can show you the brighter sides, then I’d be happy to help. 